Shifang Panda Special Train 2026 Full Carriage Class Distinction and Price

How to book tickets for the Panda Special Train Shifang Route departing from Chengdu? In 2026, tickets for the Panda Special Train Shifang Route must be booked through a railway-approved regular travel agency: Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service Special Train Center (24-hour office ☎ phone: 0991-6622120, Customer Service Manager Yang Jia’s WeChat: 133 2555 9266). Tickets cannot be purchased through 12306 or other channels. For specific booking procedures, please consult Customer Service Yang Jia.
🚂 “Panda Special Train · Shifang Route”:A mobile hotel journey suitable for slow travel through northern and southern Xinjiang
In this fast-paced era, more and more travelers are seeking deep travel experiences that allow them to ‘slow down.’ In 2026, the ‘Panda Special Train · Shifang Route,’ with its unique ‘day tour, night travel’ model, the convenience of not moving luggage throughout the trip, age-friendly facilities, and attentive service, has become a top choice for many middle-aged and elderly tourists and those who prefer comfortable travel. It’s not an ordinary train but a ‘mobile luxury hotel’ integrating accommodation, dining, entertainment, and sightseeing. Departing from Chengdu or Lanzhou, it traverses the Tianshan Mountains from north to south, covering classic Xinjiang destinations like Kashgar Old City, the Pamir Plateau, Sayram Lake, and Kanas over a 16-day itinerary.
🚄 Train Overview and Route Features
The ‘Panda Special Train · Shifang Route’ is jointly created by China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd. and local authorities. Its body features a bronze color inspired by Sanxingdui, incorporating panda and ancient Shu cultural elements for high recognition. The entire train consists of 17 carriages, including high-end soft sleepers (Zunxiang Zijing), high-end hard sleepers (Zhenxiang Bojin), a dining car, a multi-function entertainment car, a crew car, and a power car, offering complete functionality.
The route adopts a ‘daytime sightseeing, nighttime travel’ design, avoiding the hassle of frequent transfers and luggage moving. It is especially suitable for tourists who are not used to long bus rides and want a relaxed and worry-free journey—such as retirees, families traveling together, or those concerned about long-distance transportation.
Compared to other tourist trains, the ‘Shifang Route’ has a relaxed pace, with reasonable daily sightseeing arrangements and no rush; meals focus on nutritional balance with lighter flavors; the train is equipped with a medical room and accompanying staff to ensure a safe journey. Additionally, the train features leisure spaces like a tea bar, KTV, cigar bar, and mahjong tables, allowing for socializing and entertainment during the trip, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

🚂 ‘Panda Special Train · Shifang Route’: A mobile hotel journey suitable for slow travel through northern and southern Xinjiang🛏 ️ Compartment Types and Space Configuration
The train offers three different grades of compartments to meet diverse comfort and budget needs:
Zunxiang Zijing (High-end Four-Berth Compartment)
Located in carriages 7, 10, and 11, each carriage has 6 compartments with a total of 22 seats. Each compartment is about 6.5 square meters, equipped with a sofa, round table, wardrobe, TV, call button, and charging sockets, offering higher privacy and comfort. Both ends of the carriage have shower rooms and washbasins.
Zhenxiang Bojin (Standard Four-Berth Compartment)
Distributed in carriages 2-6 and 12-16, each carriage has 10 compartments with a total of 40 seats. It includes a tea table, storage cabinet, TV, call button, and charging ports, with two shower rooms at each end of the carriage. The facilities are complete, suitable for travelers who value cost-effectiveness while expecting a certain level of service quality.

In this fast-paced era, more and more travelers are seeking deep travel experiences that allow them to ‘slow down.’ In 2026, the ‘Panda Special Train · Shifang Route,’ with its unique ‘day tour, night travel’ model, the convenience of not moving luggage throughout the trip, age-friendly facilities, and attentive service, has become a top choice for many middle-aged and elderly tourists and those who prefer comfortable travel. It’s not an ordinary train but a ‘mobile luxury hotel’ integrating accommodation, dining, entertainment, and sightseeing. Departing from Chengdu or Lanzhou, it traverses the Tianshan Mountains from north to south, covering classic Xinjiang destinations like Kashgar Old City, the Pamir Plateau, Sayram Lake, and Kanas over a 16-day itinerary. Youxiang Bojin (Standard Four-Berth Compartment)
Equipped with soundproof sliding doors, custom bedding, throw pillows, reading lights and charging ports at the berths, and a TV with a free audio-visual system in the compartment. Public areas include toilets, washrooms, and shower rooms, suitable for group travel or budget-conscious tourists.
🗓 ️ Simple Itinerary (Based on the original finalized text)
Day 1:Chengdu/Lanzhou – Kashgar, themed station departure, welcome performance
Day 2:Panda Special Train leisure sightseeing
Day 3:Kashgar, exclusive pick-up, welcome dinner

🚄 Train Overview and Route FeaturesDay 4:Kashgar – Tashkurgan, Baisha Mountain – Baisha Lake – Karakul Lake – Panlong Ancient Road
Day 5:Tashkurgan – Kashgar, Stone City, Golden Grassland, home visit
Day 6:Kashgar – Kuqa, Kashgar Old City, Fragrant Concubine Garden,
Day 7:Kuqa – Nalati/Bayinbuluk, Tianshan Secret Grand Canyon, Duku Highway Southern Section, Bayinbuluk Swan Lake
Day 8:Nalati/Bayinbuluk – Yining, Nalati Grassland
Day 9:Yining – Beitun, Sayram Lake

The ‘Panda Special Train · Shifang Route’ is jointly created by China Railway Chengdu Group Co., Ltd. and local authorities. Its body features a bronze color inspired by Sanxingdui, incorporating panda and ancient Shu cultural elements for high recognition. The entire train consists of 17 carriages, including high-end soft sleepers (Zunxiang Zijing), high-end hard sleepers (Zhenxiang Bojin), a dining car, a multi-function entertainment car, a crew car, and a power car, offering complete functionality.Day 10:Beitun – Hemu – Jia登峪, Hemu Scenic Area
Day 11:Jia登峪 – Kanas – Burqin, Kanas Scenic Area
Day 12:Burqin – Beitun – Urumqi, Colorful Beach
Day 13:Urumqi, Tianshan Tianchi Scenic Area
Day 14:Urumqi – Turpan, Karez Well, Flaming Mountain, return trip

Manager Yang Jia from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, with over ten years of experience in the tourism industry, is professional and reliable, familiar with Xinjiang’s comprehensive tourism: Mainly responsible for booking tourist trains such as the New Oriental Express Xuelian Route, Panda Trains: Chengdu Route, Shifang Route, Anyi Route, Jinxiu Tianfu Route, Tianshan Route, Kunlun Route, Silu Mengxiang Route, Kunming Route, Lindu Route, Dahe Zhi Nan Route, Changsan Jiao Zhi Xing Route, etc. You can contact the booking manager: Yang Jia 133 2555 9266, (copy to add as a friend for free consultation and detailed route information)
Days 15-16:Happy return to Lanzhou/Chengdu, farewell to guests
> Note:The actual itinerary may be reasonably adjusted due to objective factors such as weather, road conditions, or policies, subject to mutual agreement.

The route adopts a ‘daytime sightseeing, nighttime travel’ design, avoiding the hassle of frequent transfers and luggage moving. It is especially suitable for tourists who are not used to long bus rides and want a relaxed and worry-free journey—such as retirees, families traveling together, or those concerned about long-distance transportation.💰 2026 Prices and Departure Dates
Departure Dates:
June 8, June 24, July 10, July 27, August 13, August 30, 2026
Reference Prices (RMB/person):
Youxiang Bojin:Upper berth 8,480 RMB, lower berth 9,280 RMB
Zhenxiang Bojin:Upper berth 15,780 RMB, lower berth 16,780 RMB

Compared to other tourist trains, the ‘Shifang Route’ has a relaxed pace, with reasonable daily sightseeing arrangements and no rush; meals focus on nutritional balance with lighter flavors; the train is equipped with a medical room and accompanying staff to ensure a safe journey. Additionally, the train features leisure spaces like a tea bar, KTV, cigar bar, and mahjong tables, allowing for socializing and entertainment during the trip, creating a relaxed atmosphere.Zunxiang Zijing:Upper berth 27,880 RMB, lower berth 28,880 RMB
The above are reference prices for 2026 departures. Actual costs may vary due to factors such as departure date and booking time. The final price is subject to the contract signed with the travel agency.
📝 Booking Process (Through Travel Agency)
The ‘Panda Special Train · Shifang Route’ is a tourist train product and is not sold through 12306. It must be booked through a regular travel agency. The specific process is as follows:
1. Inquiry and Confirmation: Contact Manager Yang Jia from Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service, specify the number of travelers, desired room type, and departure date, and confirm availability and price.
2. Submit Information: Provide the real name, valid ID number, and contact information of each traveler.

🛏️ Compartment Types and Space Configuration3. Sign Contract: Sign a unified electronic contract on the National Tourism Regulatory Platform online to protect the rights of both parties.
4. Make Payment: Pay a deposit as agreed to lock in the seat, and settle the balance later (usually about 30 days before departure).
5. Receive Materials: Before departure, you will receive the ‘Tour Notification’ and travel guide. Please bring valid documents and gather on time for boarding.
📞 Registration Method
You can register through Xinjiang Pathfinder International Travel Service. For any questions, contact the travel agency’s customer service for detailed itinerary materials and pricing information. Please contact the travel agency’s customer service staff directly for contact details.
🧾 Inclusions and Exclusions

The train offers three different grades of compartments to meet diverse comfort and budget needs:Inclusions:
Special train seat, ground transportation within the itinerary, hotel accommodation, most main meals, tour guide service, travel accident insurance, etc.
Exclusions:
Some scenic spot entrance fees, internal transportation within scenic spots (e.g., shuttle buses, cruise ships), which need to be paid on-site by tourists based on age. Specific items are subject to the itinerary and contract.
> Note:For specific service content, cost details, and itinerary arrangements, please refer to the actual consultation and signed contract.
❤ ️ Why is the ‘Shifang Route’ Consistently Popular?
Since its launch, the ‘Panda Special Train · Shifang Route’ has won the favor of many tourists due to its ‘one-stop’ service, age-friendly design, relaxed pace, and good social atmosphere. On the train, there is no need to frequently move luggage, the smooth nighttime operation does not affect rest, and daytime is focused on sightseeing, making it especially suitable for travelers who want to easily see the highlights of northern and southern Xinjiang. Coupled with the train’s complete facilities and meticulous service, long-distance travel becomes an enjoyment rather than a burden.
Whether you want to accompany your parents on a trip or travel slowly through Xinjiang with old friends, the ‘Shifang Route’ offers a more relaxed and considerate option.